Window button on door lock

[carlos318is]

I have a E36 318is aswell as the E30 and as you know when you open the door the window drops a little bit well its stopped working and now the alarm thinks the car is open and will not not lock. I unplugged it at the weekend and it started working again but as always its stopped again does anyone have any idea as to what the problem could be:o

[carlos318is]

12 views and no one knows the answer :confused:

[roundel318]

Just tossing this out there as my E30 sedan does not do this, I have only seen this on E36 cabrio's, etc.
I would guess the central locking controller and its wiring to that door gromit would be the place to start. Possibly the door switch (gets pressed when you close the door, pops out when the door opens, closing a circuit for the interior lights. Do the lights turn on as they should when you open the door?
You might be looking at taking the door panel card off and checking behind or behind the kick panel on the drivers side.
I am not sure where the E36 keeps this unit, but in E30's its in the kick panel well below the speaker.
Best thing that comes to my mind at 8AM :confused:

[carlos318is]

Thanks yer the lights do all work as they should but when you shut the door the lights stay on as the switch in the door lock is not working for some reason but as I say if you unplug it it will work for a day or 2

[roundel318]

I would recommend looking up the electrical documentation for performing a central locking test, you will need some volt meter type tools.
There is probably a step-matrix to follow that will help you narrow down if its wiring, the switch, or the controller that should be replaced.
Other than perhaps a Bentley E36 manual, I am not sure where to find this diag procedure.
For the record, was this a E36 cabrio or what?

[carlos318is]

Its a 318is coupe e36 I think I am going to have to short the switch out and see if it works

[roundel318]

I did a quick dig for a PDF on that, you may try this link.
http://www.mediafire.com/?9qrhwhmthbz
It seems to download a RAR file (its like a .zip file, http://www.rarsoft.com to get winrar to extract) that could have it.
It looks like a 97 E36 is/ic electrical troubleshooting doc.
I opened it up and it is valid.
Hope that helps :confused:

[carlos318is]

Thanks for your help mate

[roundel318]

Always!

[EN318isPDX]

On my E30 if i leave the drivers side door open and attempted to lock the car is automatically unlocks itself.

[roundel318]

My E30 does the same as EN318isPDX's vehicle.
I think that is normal with the central locking on E30's not sure on a E36?